Bonner Bolton Breaks Down Before Emotional ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Routine [Watch]

Bonner Bolton broke down in tears before turning in an emotional performance on Dancing With the Stars on Monday night (April 10). Dance partner Sharna Burgess and the former professional bull rider danced a foxtrot that was inspired by Bolton breaking his neck during a ride that went horribly wrong.

Remarkably, it's only been just over a year since Bolton, 29, was thrown from a bull during a competition in January of 2016. He broke his neck when he landed, resulting in temporary paralysis and months of painful therapy, and doctors have told him he will never be cleared to return to the sport he devoted his life to. As a video recapping those events played on Monday night, Burgess comforted Bolton as he wept at the painful memories.

The couple went on to turn in a stellar performance, with Bolton managing to master the intricate moves despite having been unable to walk a year ago. The couple danced to the appropriate strains of "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble, in an inspiring dance meant to symbolize how Bolton has risen above the changes in his life.

"You can't help but be inspired by the strength in Bonner," Burgess says. "The ability to re-invent himself. He was paralyzed 12 months ago, and today he is learning a foxtrot with me."

The couple earned positive remarks from the judges and a score of 32 overall.

"My dad taught me and my brothers there's never a time to quit in life, no matter what it is," Bolton reflects. "Every morning I wake up and I have air in my lungs and light in my eyes. I've got all the reason in the world to dance. So I'm gonna give it that good old cowboy try."

Season 24 of Dancing With the Stars airs Monday nights on ABC at 8PM ET.